Batley and Spen: Keir Starmer’s Last Chance?

Weeks after losing Hartlepool to the Tories, Labour has another major test in the Batley and Spen by-election. This is the constituency once represented by Jo Cox - murdered by a far right terrorist in 2016 - and it’s a diverse community. But many voters feel disillusioned with the current main opposition, not least British Muslims, 86% of whom voted Labour nationally in 2019 but who feel that loyalty is not reciprocated. With the controversial George Galloway standing, some are determined to vote for him to give Labour a bloody nose. How much further does Labour’s electoral coalition have to fragment as its naturally most loyal voters feel taken for granted? I visit the constituency to speak to everyone from George Galloway to Andy Burnham - presumed to be a likely successor as Labour leader - to Kim Leadbeater, Labour’s candidate, to local voters to work out what’s happening to the opposition - and where that leaves our crisis-stricken country. Videographer: Jack Barraclough.